Isostasy

Isostasy
Isostasy I*sos"ta*sy, n. [See {Iso-}; {Stasis}.] The state or quality of being isostatic. Specif. (Geol.), general equilibrium in the earth's crust, supposed to be maintained by the yielding or flow of rock material beneath the surface under gravitative stress. By the theory of isostasy each unit column of the earth, from surface to center, has approximately the same weight, and the continents stand higher than the ocean beds chiefly because the material of the crust has there less density. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Isostasy — (Greek isos = equal , stásis = standstill ) is a term used in Geology to refer to the state of gravitational equilibrium between the earth s lithosphere and asthenosphere such that the tectonic plates float at an elevation which depends on their… …   Wikipedia

  • isostasy — 1889, from ISO (Cf. iso ) + Gk. stasis setting, weighing, standing (see STET (Cf. stet)). Related: Isostatic …   Etymology dictionary

  • isostasy — [ī säs′tə sē] n. [< ISO + Gr stasis, a standing still: see STASIS] 1. a condition in which there is equal pressure on every side 2. Geol. approximate equilibrium in large, equal areas of the earth s crust, preserved by the action of gravity… …   English World dictionary

  • isostasy — /uy sos teuh see/, n. 1. Geol. the equilibrium of the earth s crust, a condition in which the forces tending to elevate balance those tending to depress. 2. the state in which pressures from every side are equal. Also, isostacy. [1885 90; ISO +… …   Universalium

  • isostasy — noun Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary is + Greek stasia condition of standing, from histanai to cause to stand more at stand Date: 1889 1. general equilibrium in the earth s crust maintained by a yielding flow of rock material… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • isostasy — noun The state of balance of the Earths lithosphere floating on the magma …   Wiktionary

  • isostasy — n. balance between the gravity which tends to depress and the buoyancy which tends to raise a given segment of the earth s crust (Geology) …   English contemporary dictionary

  • isostasy — [ʌɪ sɒstəsi] noun Geology the equilibrium that exists between parts of the earth s crust, which rise if material (such as an ice cap) is removed and sink if material is deposited. Derivatives isostatic adjective Origin C19: from iso + Gk stasis… …   English new terms dictionary

  • isostasy — isos·ta·sy …   English syllables

  • isostasy — i•sos•ta•sy or i•sos•ta•cy [[t]aɪˈsɒs tə si[/t]] n. 1) gel the equilibrium of the earth s crust, a condition in which the forces tending to elevate balance those tending to depress 2) phs the state in which pressures from every side are equal •… …   From formal English to slang

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